Sights set on $10,000 fundraising for ferry

A new handrail and bike rack are the latest progress on
restoring the old Dunedin harbour ferry, Elsie Evans.

The rail was installed this month by EB Engineering. Broad
Bay residents Alan and Di Potter donated the money for the
job.

Otago Harbour Ferry Inc chairman Shem Sutherland said the
rail could also be used as a bike rack by passengers.

Since boat builders stopped working on the boat last year,
volunteers have completed many of the remaining jobs.

Mr Sutherland estimated the group needed to raise about
$10,000 to pay for the remaining work.

Cash donations were not the only way to support the project
and the group would also appreciate donations of materials or
services.

He hoped the boat would be operational by spring. Many people
had pre-purchased tickets for rides and Mr Sutherland said
these would be honoured as soon as the boat was ready.

Elsie Evans was the last of a ferry tradition on Otago
Harbour, which was the primary form of freight and commuter
traffic from 1859 until the opening of the Dunedin to Port
Chalmers railway line, in 1873, and Portobello low road, in
1913.